CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Locked in a classic "pitcher's duel," Bradley Central junior hurler Tyler Cook helped his own cause with a two-run blast for the game-winner in a 3-1 District 6-4A victory over East Hamilton, Tuesday at Joe Adams Field.
After being held hitless through the first five frames, the Bears knocked their only two hits in the bottom of the sixth to pull out the key.
"Tyler Cook did a great job on the mound and hitting that home run was basically the game," related veteran "Papa Bear" Travis Adams.
"These district games can be all about one inning , that was the case tonight.
"Hopefully we can gain some momentum from the win to carry over to the rest of the series"
The teams will battle at East Hamilton Wednesday and Thursday, weather permitting, to close out the three-game series.
Bradley (10-10-1, 3-1 District 6-4A) will wrap up regular season conference play with a three-game series against Howard (4-10, 0-4), Monday and Thursday in Chattanooga, plus Tuesday at the McKenzie Baseball Complex, with all games starting a 5 p.m.
East Ham (12-10-1, 3-1) will visit Walker Valley (12-10) Saturday evening at 7 before squaring off with Ooltewah (12-8-1, 2-2), Monday and Thursday at the Hurricanes home field, plus Tuesday at Bud Ball Field.
BEARS 3, HURRICANES 1: Cook and East Ham hurler Griffin Phillips locked horn in a battle of "aces," with the latter holding the advantage until the final Bradley at bat.
The senior southpaw set down the first seven Bears in order before issuing a base on balls to Bronson Stone, who was left standing after back-to-back pop outs.
After a half dozen more Bradley bats silenced in a row, Stone broke up the "no-no" with a solid single to center to open the bottom of the sixth inning.
Senior Jonathan Alomar dropped down a sacrifice bunt to push pincher Paxton King to second, leading to Cleveland State signee Jaxon Humble being given an intentional walk to set up a force out situation.
After a passed ball moved King to third, Jaden Griffey evened the score with a ground out as Alomar moved to second.
Cook then stepped into the box and drove a 1-2 fastball over the left field fence. Phillips followed with his eighth strikeout to stop the bleeding, but the damage was done.
East Ham had put the first run on the scoreboard in the top of the third when after Cook had also set down the first seven batters Peyton Hunter drew a four-pitch walk. After a ground out moved him to second, Peyton Harris broke up Cook's no-hit bid with a run-scoring single.
After suddenly finding themselves behind going into the seventh, the Hurricanes increased the pressure with a one-out single by Luke Farris and a two-out double off Mason Wolcott's bat.
Although Cook, who fired 97 pitches with 67 strikes, notched at least one K in each inning, plus had a pair five times for a dozen total before Carter Bohklen came on to fire three straight strikes to close out the victory.
Grayson Maddox went 2-for-3 at the dish for East Ham.
GAME SUMMARY
District 6-4A
Tuesday, April 8
at Joe Adams Field
East Hamilton 001 000 0 — 1 5 0
Bradley Central 000 003 x — 3 2 1
WP: Tyler Cook 6.2 IP, 12 Ks, 2 BB, 5 hits, 1 ER. LP: Griffin Phillips 7 IP, 8 Ks, 2 BB, 2 hits, 1 ER. HR: Tyler Cook (BC). 2B: Mason Wolcott (EH). RBI: Peyton Harris (EH); Cook 2, Jaden Griffey (BC). RECORDS East Hamilton 12-10, 3-1 District 6-4A; Bradley Central 10-10-1, 3-1 District 6-4A.